Question

When you sneeze, the air in your lungs accelerates from rest to approximately 150km/h in about 0.50 seconds. What is the acceleration, in units of g?

Answer 1

(150 km/hr) x (1000 m/km) x (hr/3600sec)  =  41-2/3 m/sec

Acceleration  =  (change in speed) / (time for the change)

Change in speed  =  (41-2/3 minus 0) = 41-2/3 m/s
Time for the change = 0.5sec.

Acceleration = (41-2/3 m/s) / (0.5 sec)  =  83-1/3 m/s² .

Acceleration of gravity = 9.8 m/s² .

Acceleration of sneezed air = (83-1/3) / (9.8)  =  8.5 g  (rounded)